Extend Robotics Interview with Chang Liu

In this talk

1. 1:19

   Why Extend Robotics is building teleoperation

   Liu describes the company’s work as making robotic arms easy to operate remotely. Drawing on his robotics research and discussions with industry, he sees a need for safer, lower-cost ways to handle complex physical tasks that are difficult to automate fully.

2. 4:38

   How AMAS connects people to robots

   AMAS, short for Avatar Mixed-reality Autonomy System, uses a VR interface to let people control a physical robot. The software and robot communicate over a network, including Wi-Fi or mobile connections; Extend Robotics was also trialing 5G. Liu says the system can be used over the internet without the operator being on site.

3. 7:14

   Flexible uses and target markets

   A restaurant demonstration showed the system’s potential for different tasks, such as bartending or sushi preparation, with people configuring the robot through the interface. Liu says the system could serve utilities, nuclear decommissioning, healthcare, agriculture, public services, and hospitality; utilities had attracted the strongest customer interest.

4. 12:13

   Remote operation, safety, and product plans

   Liu describes controlling a prototype from Reading while the robot was in central London, about 50 miles away. He says the robot remains safe if the network fails, and that the team was improving its streaming pipeline for constrained connections. The company had begun offering software-only trials with compatible ROS robotic arms, while aiming for an integrated hardware and software product by early 2022; its arms were 3D-printed.